Wednesday Wisdoms

Photographers, don’t let your busy, complicated life in the freelance world get you sidetracked from your pursuit as an A+ level long-term photographer.

Commit yourself to scheduled regular testing to explore and experiment, seeing how far your creative eye can take you. 

Testing is that golden nugget to take yourself to the highest level and make it last.

WATCH OUT FOR SCAMS, as production usually requires us to move quickly. Anyone telling us to send a payment before their finances are no longer pending in our bank account is a risk. The best method is to use an experienced producer instead of image makers handling all the finances if it’s not our specialty.

TOP 10 SECRETS

TO SUCCESS WITH @ASKSTERNREP

1. Create a cohesive body of work with a consistent style
2. Know your niche and know your market. Who are your clients?
3. Market yourself. Consistently and tenaciously, and in a way that is aligned with your brand and goals. 
4. Know what you’re good at and delegate what you’d rather not do.
5. Ask for help. There’s no shame in needing help or asking for it. 
6. Be a good business person. Manage your time with discipline based on your priorities. 
7. TEST outside your box. Be hungry. Hustle. Stay fresh with the times. Your portfolio should not just be the jobs you have shot, it should be the jobs you want to shoot. 
8. Social Media. In these times, as a pro image creator, being on IG is a must, as your 2nd portfolio has its type of library. 
9. Money. Know how to negotiate or have a rep help you.
10. Enjoy it!

What are you thankful for in your work world? What is working/flowing well with your career? Maybe it’s about what ‘is flowing’ that we follow and grow towards in this next stage. Comment here on what you are thankful for in your career these days! 

I heard this years ago and it is more true than ever – have a picture of yourself on your website!

Our business used to have closed doors to anyone not on the upper levels of their career, but these days, doors are open to fresh thinkers. It’s changed, and experience is not the number one requirement anymore; new solutions are the name of the game. Get yourself out there with YOUNG THINKING in our new world! 

My top 5 tips for every estimate:

1. State the number of final images the bid cost is based on

2. Spell out details like, “No variations included”

3. Bid is based on the information provided; any changes may incur overages 

4. 10-hour shoot day

5. No overtime is included

Creative call pauses mean = your opportunity to reflect back to them who you will be on set, how you think, and what you have to offer. Opportunities to show them how right you are for the job don’t often happen when you are up for a project, so take each one as that open-door moment to engage with your ideas!

Be thankful for what you do for a living. Your job is to stay in your creative zone. 

How lucky are we?

Instead of getting lost or intimidated by the word – MARKETING, see it for what it is – to STICK IN THE CLIENT’S MINDS. If we break this down into simple steps, with the lead pinpoint being:  be remembered, it can be easier than it seems. Increase the odds by using uncomplicated, basic human ideas of memory-provoking, catchy, enjoyable moments.